The Ever-Flame of Aphelia
Summary
In the ancient times when the gods of men looked away and let the world fall into darkness only The Goddess Aphelia, The Winged Illumination, Lady Tempest remained to bring them back from the brink of destruction.
There was a humble man of Rhodia by the name of Benesek. When the shadows fell and war descended upon the kingdoms of men he would not relinquish his faith. When the army of shadows descended upon his home and slaughtered his family but he was spared he only looked for guidance. He never questioned Aphelia on what she had allowed in the past, only for the knowledge of the challenges that lay ahead of him. Many years and many battles later Benesek again was the lone survivor of a battle against the great evil, and when he looked for guidance for what he should do Aphelia answered him.
Knelt in the middle of a war torn field, with the bodies of friend and foe scattered around, unrecognisable for the coating of blood and mud upon them, she came to him. The overcast sky became turbulent, the clouds rolled like waves upon the sea, and then the storm began. The loudest thunder ever heard, almost deafening, and so much lighting it felt as thought the entire world was lit up. As Benesek remained on the floor stunned Lightning struck not 10 feet in front of him knocking him back to the ground and forcing him to cover his eyes. When he righted himself and rubbed open his blurry eyes he saw the Lady tempest stood in front of him. Her large white feathered wings, her elegant body, her beautiful kind knowing eyes and here golden hair flowing down over her bare bright white skinned shoulders. They did not speak but in an instant from looking into her eyes he knew what she wanted and what he must do.
In another flash of lighting she had gone, but in her place stuck in the ground was a winged winged staff axe-glaive, The Ever-Flame. The head was made of two bladed wings, and a platinum candle sat between them. It burnt with a small warm white flame, and it seemed to be totally unaffected by the rain Aphelia's storm had brought. The whole staff was 7 feet long, but its construction of mithril and platinum made it a perfectly weighted polearm.
With renewed vigour Benesek sought the evil forces that had befallen his home. He wondered alone, with no man beside him and struck down any who he found with the wrath of Aphelia. He travelled for years back to his homeland and confronted Zaarae, The Shadow Queen, who had shrouded the world in her shadows to stop the other gods interfering in her plans. Using the Power of the Ever-flame Benesek vanquished Zaarae, destroying her material form and banishing her to the void realm between the stars, but in the wake of her destruction Benesek was killed and the Ever-Flame was destroyed, the Handle became the Staff of the Ever-Flame but the Head of the Ever-Flame was never recovered.
There was a humble man of Rhodia by the name of Benesek. When the shadows fell and war descended upon the kingdoms of men he would not relinquish his faith. When the army of shadows descended upon his home and slaughtered his family but he was spared he only looked for guidance. He never questioned Aphelia on what she had allowed in the past, only for the knowledge of the challenges that lay ahead of him. Many years and many battles later Benesek again was the lone survivor of a battle against the great evil, and when he looked for guidance for what he should do Aphelia answered him.
Knelt in the middle of a war torn field, with the bodies of friend and foe scattered around, unrecognisable for the coating of blood and mud upon them, she came to him. The overcast sky became turbulent, the clouds rolled like waves upon the sea, and then the storm began. The loudest thunder ever heard, almost deafening, and so much lighting it felt as thought the entire world was lit up. As Benesek remained on the floor stunned Lightning struck not 10 feet in front of him knocking him back to the ground and forcing him to cover his eyes. When he righted himself and rubbed open his blurry eyes he saw the Lady tempest stood in front of him. Her large white feathered wings, her elegant body, her beautiful kind knowing eyes and here golden hair flowing down over her bare bright white skinned shoulders. They did not speak but in an instant from looking into her eyes he knew what she wanted and what he must do.
In another flash of lighting she had gone, but in her place stuck in the ground was a winged winged staff axe-glaive, The Ever-Flame. The head was made of two bladed wings, and a platinum candle sat between them. It burnt with a small warm white flame, and it seemed to be totally unaffected by the rain Aphelia's storm had brought. The whole staff was 7 feet long, but its construction of mithril and platinum made it a perfectly weighted polearm.
With renewed vigour Benesek sought the evil forces that had befallen his home. He wondered alone, with no man beside him and struck down any who he found with the wrath of Aphelia. He travelled for years back to his homeland and confronted Zaarae, The Shadow Queen, who had shrouded the world in her shadows to stop the other gods interfering in her plans. Using the Power of the Ever-flame Benesek vanquished Zaarae, destroying her material form and banishing her to the void realm between the stars, but in the wake of her destruction Benesek was killed and the Ever-Flame was destroyed, the Handle became the Staff of the Ever-Flame but the Head of the Ever-Flame was never recovered.
Historical Basis
The Order of the Stormguards believe the Benesek was the founder of their order. The Pontiff has carried the Staff of the Ever-Flame for hundereds of years, and the crusades to the lands beyond Nargorath have all been in search of the Head of the Ever-Flame.
Spread
It is known well by all the followers of Aphelia as it is when she became widely worshipped. The legend has also been spread because of the Stormguards crusades, so most in Rhodia know of it, but not all believe it.
In Art
There is a lot of art depicting the story of Benesek. The most common seen is the visitation or the gifting of the Ever-Flame.
Date of Setting
0
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